Tamilnadu Tourism: Palani Murugan Temple

Palani Murugan Temple - Festivals

Every day the processional icon of the main deity is taken around Dhandayuthapani Temple in a golden chariot. There is a very long waitlist, running to many years, for the privilege of pulling this chariot.

The annual Brahmotsavam and the day of the star Uthiram (Uttara-phalguni) is celebrated in Panguni (March-April). The day of the Krithika star, Thirukkrithika, Kandha Sashti (six days after Deepavali), and Thaipusam are other famous festivals.

A tradition is observed called Palli-Arai (bedroom ritual). Every night, the Lord is acquainted with the day’s accounts by the custodians of the temple. He is then put to sleep to the singing of lullabies by the odhuvar or bard.

Besides regular services, days sacred to the god Subrahmanyan are celebrated with pomp and splendour every year, and are attended by throngs of devotees from all over South India. Some of these festivals are the Thai-Poosam, the Panguni - Uththiram, the Vaikhashi - Vishakham and the Soora-Samharam. Thai - Poosam, which is considered, by far, the most important festival at Palani, is celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil Month of Thai (15 January-15 February).

Pilgrims after first having taken a strict vow of abstinence, come barefoot, by walk, from distant towns and villages. Many pilgrims also bring a litter of wood, called a Kavadi, borne on their shoulders, in commemoration of the act of the demon Hidumba who is credited by legend with bringing the two hills of Palani to their present location, slung upon his shoulders in a similar fashion. Others bring pots of sanctified water, known as Theertha - Kavadi, for the priests to conduct the Abhishekam on the holy day.

Traditionally, the most honoured of the pilgrims, whose arrival is awaited with anticipation by all and sundry, are the people of Karaikudi, who bring with them the diamond-encrusted vél or javelin, of the Lord from his temple at Karaikudi.

S.No	Festival	Tamil Month	English Month
1	Chitra Pournami	Chithirai	April/May
2	Agni Nakshathiram	Chithirai-Vaikasi	May/June
3	Vaikasi Festival (Visakam)	Vaikasi	June
4	Aani - Annabishekam	Aani	July
5	Aadi Laksharchanai	Aadi	July/August
6	Vijaya Dasami Vizha Navarathri Pooja Ambu uduthal Vizha	Puratasi	September/ October
7	Kandha Shasti (Soora Samharam)	Aipasi	October/ November
8	Thirukarthigai Vizha (Peria Karthigai)	Karthigai	November /December
9	Thirupallieluchi Thiruvizha	Margazhi	December/January
10	Thai Poosam Thiruvizha	Thai	January /February
11	Panguni Uthiram	Panguni	March / April